1.0        NAME

The name of the Club shall be the Northern King Charles Spaniel Club.

 

2.0        OBJECTS

The objects of the Club shall be to promote general interest in the King Charles Spaniel by encouraging all King Charles Spaniel owners to act responsibly and to put first at all times the welfare of the dogs under their control and in their care referring to the Club’s Code of Ethics and to promote the breeding and exhibition of King Charles Spaniels of the true type (as defined by the standard) upon breeders and judges.  It shall do all in its power to advance and protect from exploitation the interests of King Charles Spaniels and shall be a club for the benefit of its members.  The club will not be classed as a trading business, so that all profits from any source, function and/or activity of the club shall be  maintained for the benefit of and for the future education of its members in the management, training, showing, breeding and every aspect pertaining to canine activities.

 

3.0        CONSTITUTION

The Club shall consist of Officers, Committee and an unlimited number of members.

 

4.0        MEMBERSHIP

New  members shall be nominated and seconded by existing members of at least one years standing and be elected by the Committee which shall have absolute power.

New members shall have one vote after twelve months membership.

Joint members shall have one vote each.

The Committee shall have power to refuse admission to any person deemed unsuitable.

The Club shall make a list of members and their addresses available for inspection if so requested by members of the Club and by the Kennel Club.

           

 

5.0        SUBSCRIPTIONS       

The Annual subscription shall be an amount agreed by the committee and members at the A G M and notified to the Kennel Club. These fees are payable in full upon application for membership to the Club.

Subsequent annual subscriptions shall be due on 1st January each year.  Any member whose subscription is unpaid after 1st February shall be considered in arrears and shall not enjoy any of the privileges of membership.  They shall not be entitled to compete for any special prize offered to members of the Club or to vote in ballots or at meetings and shall (unless reason to the contrary be given to the satisfaction of the Committee) be deleted from the list of members.  Acceptance back onto the list of members will be dependant upon a new application.

 

6.0        ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE.

           

Members shall vote for Officers and Committee Members by postal ballot only.  The proposers and seconders of nominees for the positions will be shown on the ballot papers.  The number of votes cast and the number of votes for each candidate will be declared at the Annual General Meeting.  In the event of no ballot being required, nominated Officers and Committee Members shall be declared elected.

The names of  Officers and Committee Members shall be read out at the Annual General Meeting.

An independent scrutineer shall be appointed by the Committee for the purpose of counting postal ballots.

Nomination for posts of Officers or Committee members shall be made in writing by one fully paid up member of the Club and seconded, in writing, by another. In each case the consent of the person nominated must be secured in writing before nomination.       Candidates must have been fully paid up members for at least two consecutive years. All such nominations must be received by the Secretary not later than six weeks before the Annual General Meeting.  Numbered ballot      papers shall be sent by post by the Secretary twenty one days           before   the Annual General Meeting which should be completed by   the voting member and returned by post to reach the appointed scrutineer by the date which shall be indicated on the ballot paper.  The result of the ballot will be returned to the Secretary in a sealed envelope which shall be opened only at the Annual General  Meeting.

One third of the Committee shall retire annually by rotation with the option of re-election without nomination, the four longest serving to start conduct of the Member, determine that a Special General Meeting of the Club shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her.

Notice of the Special General Meeting shall be sent to the accused Member giving particulars of the complaint and advising the place, date and hour of the Meeting that he/she may attend and offer an explanation. If at the meeting a resolution to expel is passed by two thirds majority of the Members present and voting his/her name shall forthwith be erased from the list of Members and he/she shall thereupon cease for all purposes to be a Member of the Club except that he/she may, within two calendar months from the date of such meeting, appeal to the Kennel Club upon and subject to such conditions as the Kennel Club may impose.

If a Society expels any Member for discreditable conduct in connection with dogs, shows or trials, the Society must report the matter in writing to the Kennel Club within 7 days and supply any particulars required.

 

7.0        COMMITTEE

           

The Officers shall be President, Chairperson, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer and Clerk of the Trophies who, with a Committee consisting of no more than twelve members (who will be expected to attend at least two of all Committee meetings in the year) shall conduct the affairs of the Club and also to fill any vacancy occurring in its numbers. An Officer of the Club shall have served on the Committee for a minimum of two years, unless under any extreme circumstances, whereby the Committee shall have power to co-opt a fully paid up member of not less than two years to that position.  Also a Committee member shall act as Vice Chairperson to take over the duties of Chairperson should the need arise.  Committee Meetings shall be held as required and six Committee Members shall form a quorum.

No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee or hold any other office or appointment within a Kennel Club Registered Society.

 

8.0        FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF COMMITTEE

The management of the Club shall be vested in the Committee jointly which shall have power to call meetings of the Club to make necessary bye-laws, to arbitrate in disputed matters and have power to deal with any questions not provided for by the rules.

 

The Committee shall decide upon the nature and value of any special prizes to be offered at shows.

The Committee shall have power to decide upon the holding of Club shows and all matters incidental thereto.

9.0        MEETINGS

The Annual General Meeting shall be held at a time and place to be arranged by the Committee, usually in March but in any event before June 30th.  Members shall be given not less than 8 weeks notice in writing of the Annual General Meeting.

The Annual General Meeting will be held for the following purposes.

To receive the Report of the Committee and the Annual Accounts, to receive the result of the postal ballot for Officers and Committee and to discuss any notice of motion signed by a proposer and seconder of which prior notice of a least 42 days has been given to the Secretary and which has been duly placed on the agenda.

The agenda will be circulated at the meeting together with the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting. The Club Accounts are available upon request by members fourteen days prior to the AGM.

A Special General Meeting shall be summoned at any time by the Honorary Secretary if 25 members send a signed requisition stating the subject to be discussed.  No business other than the matter on the notice calling the meeting can be discussed at a Special General Meeting.

Committee Meetings shall be held as often as deemed necessary.  Six to form a quorum. 7 days notice shall be given of Committee meetings in writing to all Committee Members.         The minutes of the last preceding meeting and the agenda shall be circulated to Committee Members at least 7 days before a Committee Meeting.

Members shall have a vote in the General Meetings only when present in person.

Except in respect of alterations to the rules voting shall be decided by majority of fully paid up members at meetings. The vote for Officers and Committee Members shall be by postal ballot only.

The Chairperson shall have a casting vote at all meetings.

Minutes of the proceedings of all meetings shall be kept and the minutes of the last preceding meeting shall be approved and confirmed by vote at the commencement of the next subsequent meeting.

 

10.0      RULES

The Rules of the Club shall not be altered except at the Annual General Meeting, the notice of which includes details of the proposal to alter the Rules. Such alterations shall not be brought into force unless two thirds of the members voting are in favour and until the Kennel Club has been advised and given its approval to the alterations.

 

11.0      JUDGING LISTS

The Committee will be responsible for drawing up judging lists (by secret ballot in a Judges Sub-Committee which may be set up in accordance with Kennel Club Advice such that not less than 75% of its members are persons who award Challenge Certificates in the Breed). Applicants will be required to complete a questionnaire regarding their suitability to be included in the judging lists and to comply with the criteria for the relevant list.  A two thirds majority of the Committee present and voting at a Committee Meeting shall be necessary for election to the list.

After consideration by the Committee the person(s) concerned will be advised whether or not they have been included in the List.

 

12.0      CLUB ACCOUNTS

The Club’s financial year shall be from 1st January until 31st December inclusive.

A separate banking account shall be held in the name of the Club, into which all revenue of the Club shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall be made on the signatures of two of the three appointed signatories (Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary).

The Treasurer shall maintain the accounts and an Auditor shall be appointed at each Annual General Meeting for the purpose of auditing the Club’s accounts for the ensuing year.  Appointment for Auditor must be (a) one fully qualified auditor or (b) two unqualified auditors.

            All expenses incurred by the Secretary, Treasurer or by any member for or on behalf of the Club on the authority of the Committee shall be defrayed out of the Club funds. No Officers or Members of the Club shall incur any liabilities, financial or otherwise in the name of the Club without the authority of the Committee.

 

13.0      ANNUAL RETURNS TO THE KENNEL CLUB

 

The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year Maintenance

             of Title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club by the Secretary for the continuance of registration and that by the 31st July each year other returns as stipulated in Kennel Club Regulations will be forwarded to the Kennel Club.

The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any change of Secretary which may occur during the course of the year. The Officers acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of the month in which the Club’s AGM is held and to notify the Kennel Club of any subsequent amendments to that date.

 

14.0      CLUB PROPERTY AND DISSOLUTION

 

The property of the Club shall be vested  in the Committee.  All cups and trophies shall only be accepted on the understanding that they are the outright property of the Club.

If, at a Special General Meeting called for such a purpose, a resolution for the dissolution of the Club shall be passed by a majority of the Members present then, and in such case, the Members present at such Special General Meeting may decide upon the disposal of the assets of the Club after discharging all liabilities of the Club.

If a Registered Society is wound up or ceases to be a Registered Society under Kennel Club Regulations, a final statement of audited accounts with a record of the disposal of the property of the Society shall be forwarded to the Kennel Club within six months and the persons named as Officers and Committee of the Society on the last return furnished to the Kennel Club will be held responsible by the Kennel Club for the proper winding up of the Society.

15.0      EXPULSION OF A MEMBER

 

Any Member who shall be suspended under Kennel Club Rule A42j(4) and/or  any member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified under Kennel Club Rule A42j(8) shall, ipso facto, cease to be a Member of the Club for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification.

If the conduct of any Member, in the opinion of the Committee of the Club be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character or interests of the Club, the Committee of the Club may at a meeting, the notice convening which includes, as an object, the consideration of the the rotation.  Any members voted on the Committee will take the rotational place of the members they replace.  Officers shall retire in four year rotation and shall be eligible for re-election without nomination.

All Officers of the Club shall be honorary and no members shall be allowed to make the Club a means of private speculation or trade.  The President, Chairperson, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer and Clerk of the Trophies shall be ex-officio members of the Committee.

 

 

16.0      KENNEL CLUB THE FINAL COURT OF APPEAL

 

The Committee of the Club shall have the power to deal with all matters pertaining to the Club not specifically covered by the Rules of the Club except that the Kennel Club shall be the final court of appeal in matters of dispute.

 

17.0      FEDERATION 

 

The Club shall not join any Federation of Societies or Clubs.

           

 

 

 

GENERAL  CODE  OF  ETHICS          

 

Members of the Northern King Charles Spaniel Club are expected to abide by its general code of Ethics

        CLUB MEMBERS

  1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.

 

  1. Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal or who carries out caesarian on a bitch, may report such operation to the Kennel Club.

 

  1. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
  2. Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
  3. Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.

 

  1. Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.

 

  1. Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.

 

  1. Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.

 

  1. Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.

 

  1. Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.

 

  1. Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance c concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.

 

 

 

  1. Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.

 

  1. Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not accompanying a dog).  

 

  1. Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog in it’s lifetime
  2. Members must provide a record in respect of each puppy sold with details of all inoculations and worming. Members are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner as to reflect credit on the ownership of King Charles Spaniels.

 

  1. No puppies must be sold under ten weeks of age and as far as the breeder is concerned must be healthy at the time of sale.

 

  1. Owners of stud dogs should see the registration documents and pedigree of any bitch to be mated to determine ownership, age and any endorsement. Stud dog owners should also try to ascertain the number of previous litters reared and also the dates.

 

  1. Breeders should inform purchasers, in writing, that they will accept back any puppy which does not settle into its new home.

 

  1. Bitches should not be mated before they are fully mature and preferably not before the age of eighteen months and should not be bred from after six years of age. A bitch should not rear more than two litters in two years and no bitch should have more that three litters in her lifetime.   Any bitch which has had a caesarean should not be bred from as the health and well-being of the bitch is paramount.

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from Club membership and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate

 

December 2013